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<DIV>I feed Velvet Nature's Variety raw, because she doesn't digest kibble well. However, it has not made a difference in the need to express her anal glands. Watson, on the other hand, gets very gassy from raw, so he eats a good quality kibble. Whether raw is the best option likely will depend on the individual hound. </DIV>
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<DIV>>>>I had to go to the pet store today for dog food for Maggie and Annie and <BR>there was a rep there for " Natures Variety " Has anyone ever used their foods ? she "sort of " <BR>convinced me that if I would start feeding my girls a raw diet that they would <BR>be healthier, and i would not have the anal gland issues ???? But Maggie is <BR>the one with severe allergies and occasional colitis, but she assured me that <BR>"most if not all " of the problems would go away within three weeks of <BR>starting a raw diet ? Am I being taken for being STUPID or should I believe <BR>what she says ? I have NO experience with feeding a raw diet!</DIV>
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<DIV>In terms of in-home pet care, I think cost varies quite a bit and it seems to me that the difference may largely be whether it's a full-time occupation or a side-gig. I have used pet sitters who stay at my home with my hounds for years and I generally have paid somewhere in the $20-25 a day range (in the Seattle burbs). I've found most of my sitters through the vet hospital we used (I moved recently and need to find a new vet - anyone have recs for NE Seattle?) -- vet techs, etc. who dog sit on the side. The pet sitting companies in the area seem to charge $60-80ish. <BR></DIV></body></html>